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Thursday, February 17, 2011

Montana legislator introduces bill calling global warming 'beneficial'

The Republican war against science continues unabated. The latest example is a real doozy. State Rep. Joe Read (R-MT) has introduced a bill declaring that global warming is a "natural occurrence and human activity has not accelerated it,” It goes on to declare that it “beneficial to the welfare and business climate of Montana.”

Glacier Park is one of Montana's biggest tourist attractions. The area brings in about $1 billion in tourist revenues. The last of the Park's 150 glaciers is expected to disappear in the next 10 years. Between 1900 and 1979, the Glacier Park area experienced an average of 181 days every year when the temperature dipped below freezing. Between 1980 and 2005, warming had reduced the number of below-freezing days to 152.

More importantly climate scientists in Montana predict droughts, infestations and more wildfires. Perversely, Read is an emergency firefighter and stands to gain if wildfires increase.

The full story is here at Think Progress.

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